Jefferson County's Veterans Treatment Court is making a difference

For generations Americans have left their homes and their families to travel to distant shores to preserve our liberty and to protect our freedom. Thankfully most of these brave men and women returned home safely. Sadly too many made the ultimate sacrifice and were returned home to be laid to rest next to their loved ones or their fellow fallen heroes. Others returned home having lost arms, legs or their ability to see or hear. Yet others returned home with their bodies fully intact but bearing scars that are not visible from the outside.

Twenty percent of our brave military men and women return home from Iraq and Afghanistan with post traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury resulting from being engaged in hand-to-hand combat, IED's, a fire fight, seeing a buddy blown up or seeing a village of women and children destroyed. These conditions bring feelings of depression, paranoia, isolation, anger and suicidal thoughts. Those afflicted often turn to alcohol and drugs to dull the pain and as a way of self-medicating. Combining mental illness with alcohol or drugs is like combining gasoline with fire. It is a dangerous situation that can lead to horrible results. Often veterans suffering from PTSD and/or drug and alcohol addiction find themselves homeless (67,000 on any given night in US), unemployed, and estranged from their families. One or more of these conditions often lead our veterans to engage in criminal conduct, eventually leading them into the criminal justice system for much of their lives.

The Jefferson County Veterans Treatment Court was created in 2012 to assist those Veterans who are in the criminal justice system as a result of war induced psychological, emotional or mental illness. It is the mission of this court to help these veterans to restore their lives and to reduce recidivism. This program is not a free pass. The court-ordered treatment program is designed to address the individual needs of our veterans. This program requires an 18-month commitment with many demands including weekly court appearances, frequent random drug screening, compliance with mental health treatment, drug or alcohol abuse treatment, daily group therapy, curfew checks, home checks, mandatory compliance with court ordered child support, restitution to their victims, community service, job training and education. Another integral element to the court is the peer mentors. These are veterans who volunteer their time to meet weekly with the court participants offering support, guidance, and direction to their fellow veterans. The court assists veterans in finding housing, employment, and educational opportunities. The end result is mentally, emotionally and psychologically stable, law-abiding veterans who are once again contributing members of society.

One year into its operation, the court's efforts are meeting with much success. Participants are clean and sober and compliant with their mental health treatment. Thanks to community support all participants have housing. Those who are ready to work have found employment and the others are giving back through community service. Some of the participants are seeking higher education and have enrolled in college classes. These achievements have created the stability to allow them to reconnect with their children, leading by example and proving to their children that hard work pays off.

While the Jefferson County court was the first of its kind in Kentucky, soon veterans in other parts of the Commonwealth will also have access to such courts. Fayette County's Veterans Treatment Court is already operating and courts are planned for Hardin County, Christian County and Northern Kentucky. This Veterans Day and everyday we declare our appreciation for the many men and women who have put their lives on the line for this country. We stand ready to assist those who now need our services.

DAVID L. HOLTON II

Jefferson District Court Judge

Louisville 40202

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Jefferson County's Veterans Treatment Court is making a difference

For generations Americans have left their homes and their families to travel to distant shores to preserve our liberty and to protect our freedom. Thankfully most of these brave men and women